Criminal Defense: Felonies: Weapons Charges

If you are charged with any type of weapons offense, Contact the office of Attorney Jeffrey G. Edleman in Amherst, Ohio. We represent clients charged with all weapons offenses, whether felony or misdemeanor, in Lorain County Common Pleas Court or elsewhere as well as handling preliminary hearings related to charges in municipal courts within Lorain County (Lorain, Elyria, Oberlin, Vermilion, Avon Lake) and some municipal courts outside of Lorain County.

Individuals who are in Ohio may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony weapons offense without even realizing they were committing an illegal act. For example, some prior convicted felony offenders are not permitted to possess a firearm, and individuals who possess a concealed handgun license are required to follow certain requirements when approached by a law enforcement officer. Some of the most commonly prosecuted firearm and weapon offenses in Columbus are:

- Carrying Concealed Weapons- Unlawful Possession of a Dangerous Ordnance- Unlawful Transaction in Weapons- Improper Discharge of a Firearm- Providing Firearms to a Minor- Using Firearms While Intoxicated- Improperly Handling Firearms in a Motor Vehicle- Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon

Firearm and weapon offenses could lead to serious consequences, even if the alleged offender had no intention of committing a crime, including jail or prison sentences, a criminal record and/or fines. What is a Firearm or Weapon in Ohio?

Firearms, guns and weapons are defined in Ohio Rev. Code § 2923.11 as the following:

Deadly Weapons – These include any instrument, device or thing capable of inflicting death and designed or adapted for use as a weapon or possessed, carried or used as a weapon.

Handguns – This term includes any firearm that has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by a single hand, or any combination of parts that can be used to assemble a handgun.

Dangerous Ordnances – These include any automatic or sawed-off firearm, zip-gun, ballistic knife, explosive device, incendiary device, explosive chemicals, high explosive compositions, blasting agents, any other explosive substance, any weapons design and manufactured for military purposes, and the ammunition for such weapons, firearm mufflers or silencers

Common Firearm and Weapon Offenses in Ohio

Carrying Concealed Weapons – Ohio Rev. Code § 2923.12:An individual can be charged with this offense if they knowingly carry or have concealed on their body or ready to use: This offense is punishable as a minor misdemeanor, misdemeanor of the first degree, felony of the fourth degree or felony of the third degree. A deadly weapon besides a handgun,A handgun other than a dangerous ordnance, and/orA dangerous ordnance.

Improper Discharge of a Firearm – Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2923.161 – 2923.162:An individual commits this offense if they knowingly discharge a firearm: These offenses are punishable as a misdemeanor of the fourth or first degree, or a felony of the third degree, second or first degree. At or into an occupied habitation of an individual,At, in or into a school safety zone,Within 1,000 feet of any school building or school premises with the intent to cause physical harm, panic or fear of physical harm to someone in the school, or the evacuation of the school,Upon or over a cemetery,On a lawn, park, or other ground near an inhabited building (except for the person’s own land),On or over a public road or highway.

Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon (Having Weapons While Under Disability) – Ohio Rev. Code § 2923.13:A person can be charged with this offense if they knowingly acquire, have carry or use any firearm or dangerous ordnance if they are:A violation of this statute is punishable as a felony of the third degree. A convicted felon of any violent offense,Under indictment for any felony offense of violence,Adjudicated a delinquent child for an offense that would be a felony offense of violence if they were tried as an adult,A fugitive from justice,Convicted of any illegal drug offense,Under indictment for any illegal drug offense,Adjudicated a delinquent child for an offense that would be an illegal drug offense if they were tried as an adult,They are drug dependant or a chronic alcoholic,They have been adjudicated mentally incompetent, as a mental defective, as mentally ill or have been committed to a mental institution.

Ohio Laws for Individuals Licensed to Carry Concealed Weapons

According to Ohio Rev. Code § 2923.12(B), a person who has been licensed to carry a concealed handgun must do the following:

If the person is carrying the concealed firearm and is stopped by law enforcement, the individual must immediately inform the officer they have been licensed to carry a handgun and currently have the gun.If the person is carrying the concealed firearm and is stopped by law enforcement, the individual must keep their hands in plain sight once the officer begins approaching the individual and until the officer leaves, unless instructed to do otherwise by the officer.If the person is carrying the concealed firearm, is stopped by law enforcement, and approached by law enforcement, the individual must not knowingly remove or attempt to remove the loaded handgun from the holster, pocket, or other place, or hold or have contact with the handgun at any time once the officer begins approaching the individual and until the officer leaves, unless instructed to do otherwise by the officer.

If the person is carrying the concealed firearm and is stopped by law enforcement, the individual must not knowingly disregard or fail to comply with any lawful order of the officer while the person is stopped.

If an individual violates any of these requirements, they will be charged with a minor misdemeanor, misdemeanor of the first degree or felony of the fifth degree, and their concealed license may be suspended.

Penalties for Firearm and Weapon Charges in Ohio

Listed below are Ohio’s suggested statutory sentencing guidelines; however, these penalties may vary depending on whether the alleged offender has previously been convicted of a firearm or violent offense, the specific offense violated, where the offense was committed, and whether the person possessed a concealed handgun license.

Minor Misdemeanor - Fines up to $150;Misdemeanor of the Fourth Degree – Jail time not more than 30 days and/or fines up to $250;Misdemeanor of the First Degree – Jail sentence up to 180 days and/or fines not exceeding $1,000;Felony of the Fifth Degree – Prison sentence from six to 12 months and/or fines not more than $2,500;Felony of the Fourth Degree – Prison time from six to 18 months and/or fines up to $5,000;Felony of the Third Degree – Sentence ranging from one to five years and/or fines not exceeding $10,000;Felony of the Second Degree – Prison sentence ranging from two to eight years and/or fines not more than $15,000; andFelony of the First Degree – Prison sentence ranging from three to 10 years and/or fines not exceeding $20,000.